AU was founded in 1893 in Aurora, Illinois, 40 miles west of Chicago. The university maintains strong ties with the local community.

AU is home to more than 4,400 students, offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs.

Dr. Sherrick wanted to strengthen AU’s connection to the community. She envisioned a partnership with the local school district that would help foster collaboration and education.

To achieve her goal, Dr. Sherrick worked with Beth Reissenweber, Vice President for Finance at Aurora University, and Joe Derezinski, Relationship Manager at BMO Harris Bank, to create the Institute for Collaboration.

With the help of BMO Harris Bank, the Institute for Collaboration was built in 2004. It includes a College of Education and other learning disciplines. It also welcomes AU students and those in the community to its auditorium.

In addition, the institute provides eight classrooms for more than 200 neighborhood elementary students. Students of the AU college of education use this opportunity to observe and practice teaching in a real-life setting.

The institute helps form well-rounded students and an engaged local community that, together, work to further education and learning for students of all ages.

AU was founded in 1893 in Aurora, Illinois, 40 miles west of Chicago. The university maintains strong ties with the local community.

AU is home to more than 4,400 students, offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs.

Dr. Sherrick wanted to strengthen AU’s connection to the community. She envisioned a partnership with the local school district that would help foster collaboration and education.

To achieve her goal, Dr. Sherrick worked with Beth Reissenweber, Vice President for Finance at Aurora University, and Joe Derezinski, Relationship Manager at BMO Harris Bank, to create the Institute for Collaboration.

With the help of BMO Harris Bank, the Institute for Collaboration was built in 2004. It includes a College of Education and other learning disciplines. It also welcomes AU students and those in the community to its auditorium.

In addition, the institute provides eight classrooms for more than 200 neighborhood elementary students. Students of the AU college of education use this opportunity to observe and practice teaching in a real-life setting.

The institute helps form well-rounded students and an engaged local community that, together, work to further education and learning for students of all ages.

In 2000, Dr. Rebecca Sherrick became the thirteenth President of Aurora University. She set the bar high: to improve the college experience by connecting students with the local community. One example of this was the Institute for Collaboration, an innovative model for education that created a collaborative learning environment. But, to turn this idea into a functioning facility, she needed a financial partner.

A University President On A MissionAurora University (AU) is a private, co-ed institution located 40 miles west of Chicago in Aurora, Illinois. It offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs to more than 4,400 students. Since it’s founding in 1893, it has held a deep connection to the local community, helping generations of Aurora residents learn and succeed.

In 2000, Dr. Rebecca Sherrick became president of AU and brought with her a clear vision for the university. She wanted to preserve and strengthen AU’s close ties to the city of Aurora and surrounding areas. She envisioned an affordable university that was responsive to the educational needs of nearby families and the community. One that would promote education and collaboration for all.

Dr. Sherrick formulated an idea to bring together neighborhood elementary students, local community leaders, faculty and AU students. Her vision included a program in which local elementary school students would attend class on campus and be assisted by university students. It was a novel idea that would allow all students to benefit; the elementary students would be able to experience a unique learning environment and the AU students would receive a real-world teaching experience. In addition, Dr. Sherrick also wanted to have a space dedicated to a performing arts center where the greater community could benefit as well.

So, Dr. Sherrick set out to turn this idea into reality. “We decided to build something special,” said Dr. Sherrick, “More than just an academic facility, we wanted to have a building that we could share with the community.”

Building The Institute for Collaboration
To take the next step, Dr. Sherrick and her team searched for the right banking partner. They looked for someone that understood the needs of a higher educational institution. And, most importantly, they looked for someone who understood Dr. Sherrick’s vision. They found the right fit in Joe Derezinski, Relationship Manager at BMO Harris Bank. “From the moment we met Joe, he got it. And quickly, he became part of our team,” said Dr. Sherrick.

With the support of Joe and BMO Harris Bank, the building was built. They called it the Institute for Collaboration, and in 2004, this state-of-the-art facility opened its doors. It has eight classrooms to accommodate more than 200 neighboring elementary school students. In addition, the institute houses an auditorium and custom-designed pipe organ to further promote the arts and culture on the campus and within the community.

Deepening Ties With The Community
Today, the institute is living up to its original designs. “The institute reminds us that we are all part of the same story,” said Dr. Sherrick. “We’re all students. We’re all learners. It doesn’t matter how old we are. It’s about throwing open the front doors of a university and inviting everyone to come in.”

As she looks to the future, Dr. Sherrick is committed to continuing to bring the community and university together in new and powerful ways. In fact, for her next project, she is looking to help Aurora area middle school students with math and science through an innovative STEM program which will engage four area school districts on the Aurora University campus. At this time, the university is actively seeking corporate and donor support for this innovative collaboration.

“A hands-on education in math and science is important for our community’s young citizens,” said Dr. Sherrick. “It arms them with the tools they need to grow, achieve and succeed in life.”

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